2015-12-15: Hi! You're probably here because you did a Google search for 'plus sized horseback riders' or you saw my content quoted elsewhere. There are a couple of things I'd like you to know.

I am still here! But I am living away from my horses and not riding often. I could tell you a lie and say that I am, but I have always endeavored to give you the truth here. As a result, I'm not feeling terribly motivated to write blog posts and I feel out of touch with the community.

I'd love for you to stay a while and look back through the archives. Visit the links listed below. We still have an active forum community and I post on the Facebook page from time to time.

I have tentative plans to try to get more involved in the horse world in 2016, and I will absolutely share whatever that adventure becomes with you, so keep checking back!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

If you've ever tried to show horses when you're not a svelte, trim little thing, you've been there. You walk into the local outfitters store and are faced with rack after rack of the season's latest fashion. You check the price tags, and of course, they're all quite steep... then you start to check the sizing tags. Shuffling through the rack, you are nearly to the back by the time you find something that might come within a few sizes of even fitting you and it's an awful colour, and probably last year's style, too. Trying it on, you look a bit like a stuffed sausage. The colour is wrong, the style is wrong, the price tag is ASTRONOMICAL, and you hate the way you look - but you buy it because you have no choice.

That was the story of MY life when I was growing up showing - as I've mentioned, I've always been a fat girl, and I went through many, many, many seasons of "settling" on what I could find that even came close to fitting me because that was all there was available. I almost always paid TOO MUCH for something I hated and was even sometimes embarrassed to wear. It definitely doesn't boost your self esteem or confidence, let me tell you that!

The wonderful thing about the internet is the plethora of resources right at your fingertips (like this blog, for example!). All of a sudden, you have access... and what a wonderful thing it is!

In this entry, I've compiled a list of websites that offer tack, clothing and accessories for plus sized riders. I don't have personal consumer experience with each and every company, but I thought I would at least put them up there and if you've had a good experience, you can say so in the comments. If you have other sites to link, put them in the comments and I will add them to the entry!

*In the interest of full disclosure, "Happy Horse Designs" is my mom's sewing business. She does a circuit of trade fairs in the Maritime provinces and ships orders all over the world. Oh, and the website isn't finished because that's my job and I am a slacker!

I would love, love, love to find some websites where you can order saddles with 20" seats, etc - if you have links for any of those, PLEASE post them in the comments or email me - seeking(dot)sendiri(at)gmail(dot)com! :)

Saturday, February 20, 2010

I just want to take a moment to pop in and let you know I am working on a new entry but it's taking a little legwork to get there. In the meantime, I have a new vlog entry to post, and some wee updates about Bronwyn, a forum to open up, and some pictures I wanted to post that I'd love to get to sooner rather than later, it is just a matter of finding the time.

I've become involved in a great weight loss challenge on Youtube that is taking up some time, working a little bit here and there, taking care of my family (I am the personal chef you know, making sure everyone eats right!) and the farm... but I promise I have not forgotten about anyone! I still love to see the comments trickle in on the various entries and love hearing about new people, and check the Facebook fan page frequently.

I am hopeful to get everything tied up this week and get the new entry up and get things all in order as I am hoping to start full time employment up again very very soon... I also think the entries will come more easily for me in the summer when I'm able to ride and do more with the ponies. In the meantime, I will try my best to keep you entertained through the winter!

I just want to thank all of you for your support, encouragement and amazing stories!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

As I am working some spot days for the restaurant, I haven't had time for a whole lot but I promise you can expect a new blog entry early next week that doesn't revolve around Bronwyn's amazingness (though there might be one of those between now and then!).

I'd love to have some guest vlog entries or suggestions for new things to blog about - leave them in the comments or you can email me at seeking(dot)sendiri(at)gmail(dot)com... (obviously replace all the things in (_) with the appropriate punctuation!). I am also considering a small forum in conjunction with this place. I know that these days, everybody is on a million forums, and I don't expect it to be several thousand posters strong, but might be a nice place for us to talk about our accomplishments, whether or not they relate to the current blog entry. Yay or nay?

So here is the vlog entry, which I have been literally trying to upload, day and night, since Wednesday morning. I lost 3lbs and I basically am obnoxiously positive.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Tonight, I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you - my readers, riders, who are sharing your stories, your comments, your hearts. I appreciate each and every one of you and what you bring to this blog, enjoying your life despite the stereotypes and prejudices that surround the aesthetically driven sport that we choose to engage in. I also appreciate those who are reading, and commenting, who are opening your minds and seeing things differently, even if you do not belong to the "plus sized" community. The tolerance, acceptance, and knowledge that you are equipping yourself with now will be appreciated by someone that you meet out there on your journey.

--

On another note, I braved the cold at almost-dark to ride Bronwyn for about fifteen minutes. It was not long and not much of a work out but I did ride - and that counts for something. I am blessed to own a horse that does not balk at my harebrained schemes, riding at odd hours of the day, and asking her to do all manner of different and unusual things. She gladly went to work this evening as though she hadn't had a couple of weeks off. And it felt so fantastic to get into the saddle. Everyday that it is too cold or windy for riding outdoors, I kind of mourn a little. Granted, I have never used my summers to their full potential, but I feel like, as my passion has grown exponentially since beginning to write this blog, I will be much more committed to riding this summer. Since I have started to eat better, more produce and more protein, I have a lot more energy so I can see this being attainable.

I'm pretty excited about the snow going away!

I also longed my "not fat" horse, Rex, today. He needed some controlled exercise and I am going to fit and build him up for when I get on his back, finally. I am just a little over 25lbs away from where I told myself I would ride Ari (though I suspect I will cave and get on her sooner), so I figure that is a good weight to decide to ride Rex. He is turning into quite a big boy, and he has a beautiful, flat kneed extended trot - it makes me want to cry a little when I see it!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I don't usually say too much on here about the weight loss, and you can choose to view the vlog or choose not to. I have to say today that I am super excited, though! I never get the chance to say "I'm finally in the X00's!" like they do on the Biggest Loser because I started at 303 (so losing 3lbs was not a big deal and I had been in the 200s before recently!), and 200 is a long ways away...

But I can say with pride today that I have finally left the ranks of "100lbs+ to lose" and am now only 99lbs away from my goal weight! *does a small dance of celebration*